June 13, 2021 • 11 AM
COVID-19 Guidelines Following the updated guidance from the CDC and NYS Health Department, face masks are now optional on our campus (indoor or outdoor) for those who have been fully vaccinated. Some may wish to continue wearing masks and some may not. Both are welcome. For those who have not been fully vaccinated, masks will continue to be required on our campus, both indoors and outside. To learn more about the new policy or o read our FAQs, visit www.asburyfirst.org/about/news/398-mark-policy-update. FIRST TIME HERE We are so glad you are joining us! If you’re out there watching, check in through the website or take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. Our hope is to get to know you better and help you find your place within our community. Additionally, drop us an email at info@asburyfirst.org and we will answer any questions you may have. Need prayer? We invite you to share with us how we can be praying for you by emailing prayers@asburyfirst.org. All prayer requests are prayed over by our Ministers and Intercessory Prayer Group. Children We believe children are a sacred gift, and they are welcome in our worship. During the summer, the 9 am outdoor service will include Children's Time. If there is a way our Children's Ministry can be more welcoming to you and your child, please contact Paula Dugan at pdugan@asburyfirst.org. RECONCILING STATEMENT We are a reconciling congregation and seek to be a fully inclusive church, believing that all people are God’s children. We encourage full participation in our community for all, regardless of age, race, origin, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, family structure, education/economic background, and physical/mental ability. We recognize that we hold a variety of opinions. We do not seek to erase our differences, but to journey together in faith toward greater understanding and mutual respect. We believe that reconciliation to God and to one another is central to our mission and ministry. GIVE TO ASBURY FIRST There are three ways to make a gift to Asbury First. Each gift supports the everyday ministries and operations of this church, allowing us to live into our vision to Do More Good. Cash/Check—We welcome you to send a gift of cash/check in the mail. Text to Give—You may give a gift with a debit/credit card by texting the dollar amount to 206-222-1050. Online—Online giving is available on our website at www.asburyfirst.org/give. Watch and listen Tune into the live video stream of the 11 am service at www.asburyfirst.org/worship/live. To listen to the service tune into WRFZ 106.3 FM Rochester Free Radio, or call our toll-free number at 833-829-1050. A video archive of past services is also available at www.asburyfirst.org/worship/video-archive. You can also view all sermons on our YouTube channel.
Prelude
Variation on "Fairest Lord Jesus" — John Dixon Variation on "Fairest Lord Jesus" — Lani Smith
Welcome
Call to Worship
All are invited to read the bold-faced type; the lay reader will read the unbolded type. Come, walk in the light of faith. We will walk humbly with our God. Come, love in the light of faith. We will love all of God’s creation. Come, sing in the light of faith. We will sing praise to our God. Come, live in the light of faith. We will live as faithful followers of Christ.
11 am • June 13, 2021
The community gathers As the community gathers, may the music of the prelude draw your hearts and minds to God.
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Third Sunday after Pentecost
Opening Hymn
#694 "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" (vv. 1, 2) Words: Henry Alford; Tune: St. George’s Windsor, George Elvey
11 am
Scripture Mark 4:26-34
Jesus also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.” He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.
To hear the word
Prayer of Confession
Help us to walk by the light of faith, O God, and not to rely on our own sight. Be our vision, Holy One, for without your vision, we perish. Remind us that you do not see as mortals see, but you look on our hearts. With our eyes of faith enlightened, help us to see the full potential of your kingdom. Renew our trust in your resurrection. Revive our hope in new beginnings.
Silent Confession
Word of Assurance
Rejoice that in Christ you have become a new creation, and an agent to bring forth the promise of God’s restoring kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Amen.
Gloria Hymnal #102, vs. 3 (alt.)
All glory be to God, all praise and thanks be given; Whose Son and Spirit reign as one in highest Heaven; Our one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.
Anthem Asbury Ringers, Elizabeth Church, Director Recorded May 9, 2021
"Simple Gifts" — American Tune, arr. Patricia Cota
Children's Time
Children of all ages are invited to join us in this special moment.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Hymn
"The Kingdom of God" Words: Bryn Rees; Tune: Hanover, William Croft The hymn can be found on the following page.
Sermon
The Greatest of All Shrubs
Call to Prayer
God be merciful unto us and bless us; and make his face to shine upon us. (Psalm 67, Carl Johengen)
Pastoral Prayer
"The Kingdom of God" Words: Bryn Rees; Tune: Hanover, William Croft
Introduction to Discipleship, Membership, and Commitment
Our Creative God endows us with the gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Within this bulletin you will find invitations to enrich your faith journey and enhance your commitment. We invite you to prayerfully consider these opportunities. If you’re out there watching, check in through the website or take a picture and post it on social media using #asburyfirstathome. You may give a gift with a debit/credit card or by e-check by texting the dollar amount to 206-222-1050. Online giving is available on our website at www.asburyfirst.org/give.
Offertory
“For the Fruit of All Creation” — Trad. Welsh melody, arr. Mark Hayes; words by Fred Pratt Green Give thanks to God! Give thanks to God! Let every voice give thanks to God! For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God. For his gifts to every nation, thanks be to God. For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping, future needs in earth's safekeeping, thanks be to God. In the just reward of labor, God's will is done. In the help we give our neighbor, God's will is done. In our worldwide task of caring for the hungry and despairing, in the harvests we are sharing, God's will is done. For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, most of all, that love has found us, thanks be to God. Thanks be to God. Let every voice give thanks to God!
Doxology Hymnal #95
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below; Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Bountiful God, you scatter your blessings like seed upon the earth. May our gifts bear the fruit of your kingdom, where all may be fed and loved and blessed. Amen.
To Renew Commitment
To Disperse in Mission
Closing Hymn
#672 “God Be with You till We Meet Again” (vv. 1, 2) Words: Jeremiah Rankin, 1880; Tune: God Be With You, William Tomer, 1880
Participants In the Service
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady Liturgist: Rev. Jackie Nelson, Rev. Kathy Thiel Director of Children's Ministry: Paula Dugan Organist: Duane Prill Soloists: Bess Phillips, Brenda Nitsch, Carl Johengen, Jordan Bachmann Director, Asbury Ringers: Elizabeth Church Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Carl Johengen Audio Operator: Rick Church Video Operator: Kenny Bailey Graphics Operators: Connor Nelson Technology Support Team: Deb Bullock-Smith, Carolyn Curran, Ted Skomsky Technical Consultant: Justin Ocello
Virtual meetings
Permissions: "The Kingdom of God" words © 1973 Alexander Scott; “For the Fruit of All Creation” words © 1970, music © 2018 Hope Publishing Co.; “Simple Gifts” arrangement © 1996 Hope Publishing Co.; Hymns © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House; OneLicense.net #A-721053. Some of the liturgical elements have been adapted from the 2021 Abingdon Worship Annual. Illustration Credits: Designed by Sarah Brubaker and Freepik and Vecteezy.
Benediction
Postlude
March in G Major — John Dixon
Check out our online Zoom meetings! There are plenty of different groups and meetings still going as we make our way back together. For a full list of events with links, visit our online calendar at www.asburyfirst.org/events.
Click here for Discipleship Meetings
HOW TO JOIN A ZOOM MEETING Click the button above for your meeting. When you open the link, you should get some pop-ups asking questions like: 1. Do you want to open and run the program Zoom? 2. Do you want to connect with your computer audio? 3. Do you want to connect with your computer video? Click yes to any and all of these prompts. Once you have clicked through these prompts, you should be able to see yourself on your computer screen, and you should be able to see the rest of the group that is also logged on. If any group would like to utilize our Discipleship Zoom (passcode 200) account to take their meetings online, please contact Mike Mullin at mmullin@asburyfirst.org.
Click here for Changing Weighs
MAY 30 – SEP 5
Check out our online Zoom meetings! There are plenty of different groups and meetings to join during the stay-at-home restrictions. From Zoom with Miss Paula and Holly to Guided Meditations, or Dynamic Disciple Challenge meetings and Sunday morning lessons, there is plenty of variety. (Click the buttons below for some of the Zoom links, or visit our online calendar for links at www.asburyfirst.org/events.)
Click here for Zoom with Paula and Holly
9 am Service — In-person OUTSIDE Weather Permitting Text "join weather" to 844-239-5340 to be notified if the 9 am summer service is canceled due to weather. 11 am Service — Live-stream Only
Click here for parables of Parenting class
Saturday, June 26, 2–4 pm
The world is starting to get back to normal, but a lot of people are still struggling due to the pandemic. We need your help to support the Dining & Caring Center and the Grocery Bag Ministry! As you do your own shopping in the coming days, please consider collecting items for donation that would be useful for these amazing ministries and those in need. Keep an eye out for a list of needed items in next week's bulletin.
SAVE THE DATE!
Give Online at www.asburyfirst.org/GIVE, text to give at 206-222-1050, OR MAIL IN YOUR CHECKS TO 1050 EAST AVENUE, ROCHESTER, NY 14607